Means for producing dental models



June 5 1934. R. M. GORDER mmns FOR PRODUCING DENTAL MODELS Filed Jan. 8, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. 4?, 7/1. 19mm BY fdmm v m ATTORNEYfi 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 8, 1932 INVENTOR. gmdm/ v ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1934 MEANS FOR PRODUCING DENTAL MODELS Roy M. Gorder, Longmont, Colo.

Application January 8,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means for producing upper and lower models for use in the practise of dentistry, and its principal object is to provide a simple method'of making the 5 models so they may be assembled in relation to each other to correctly represent the bite of the teeth from which they are made.

Another object is to provide by a simple method of production dental models, including a base of attractive design having its outer and rear surfaces at right angles to each other whereby to facilitate assembling of the models in correct relation to each other, and a further object resides in the provision of mechanical means for carrying the improved method of producing the models into effect.

In the accompanying drawings in the several views of which like parts have been similarly designated,

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrative of the method of producing the model of the upper teeth,

Figure 2, a plan view of a mold employed in making the models,

Figure 3, a front-view of the body-part of the mold looking in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2,

Figure 1, a front-view of the other, removable,

part of the mold,

Figure 5, a plan View of the model and the mold showing the body-part of the latter in its position for removal of the mold.

Figure 6, a side elevation of the assembled models, in their position relative to each other and the mold during the method of forming the model of the lower teeth,

Figure 7, a section of the mold and the lower model, in their relative position as illustrated in Figure 6,

Figure 8, a face view of a preferred form of a support used in molding the forms,

Figure 9, a side View of the same,

Figure 10, a vertical section on the line 10,

Figure 8,

base-member of the same.

The mechanical devices used in the production of the models consist of a support or table 5,

shown in detail in Figures 8 to 13.

This support consists of a horizontal base plate 6 and a backplate '7 at right angles thereto.

The base plate 1932, Serial No. 585,495

has at its rear-edge, an upstanding flange 8 offset to provide end-tongues 9 by means of which the back-plate is held in place.

The back-plate has to this end, channels 10 formed at its upright edges by folding the metal of which the plate is composed upon itself, and adapted to receive the tongues of the base-plate, as best shown in Figure 11.

The back-plate is cut away at its lower port'on between the flanges, in conformity with the part of the upright flange of the base plate intermediate of its tongues, and the two plates when assembled thus provide a recess 12 to receive a part of the base of one of the models as will hereinafter be explained. The mold element of the devices used in producing the models, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, consists of a bodymember 13 and a clamping member 14. Both members correspond in height to that of the base parts of the models. The body member 13 is of polygonal form and it has an opening at one side, which, in practise, is closed by the detachable member of the mold.

The body member has a side 13a. substantially at right angles to its axis passing through the center of its open side, and at opposite sides of the latter are two converging legs 15 which in the operation are held together by the detachable member. The detachable member comprises an angular bar and the two members have slots 16 and 16a for their interlocking connection. The body member is inherently resilient so that when the member 14 is removed, the legs 15 will spring apart, as shown in Figure 5, to facilitate removal of the molded article. Ears 21 on the body part facilitate manipulation. The polygonal lmold produces a cast of attractive form, one side of which is flat and at right angles to its axis which is in a plane with the center line of the denture of the models cast in the mold.

Having thus described the mechanical devices of the invention, the process of producing the dental models by the aid thereof, is as follows:--

The models comprise teeth portions 17 and 18 and gum portions 19 and 20, made as usual by making wax impressions of the teeth and gums in the mouth of a patient and then making plaster casts in the impressions.

The model 19 of the upper teeth is made first, after which the model 20 of the lower teeth is made in conjunction with the other.

To produce the upper model, the mold with its cross member 14 in place, is placed upon a flat surface as illustrated in Figure 1. The mold is then partially filled with plaster of Paris or other suitable plastic material into which the upper model is embedded in the base, as best shown in Figure 7. The operator then works the edges of the model into the soft plastic base by hand, to produce a smooth and flaring joint as indicated at 22 in Figure '7, after which the plastic material is left in the mold until it has thoroughly hardened. The completed model is then removed from the mold by detaching the cross member 14, which permits the legs 15 of the body part to spring apart as shown in Figure 5 and hereinbefore explained.

To produce the lower model, the mold is placed upon the base-member 6 of the support 5 with its rear-side 13a fiat against the back-member '7 of the same, as illustrated in Figure 6. The lower model is then temporarily attached to that of the finished upper model by an interposed mass of wax or other soft plast c material 23 after which the mold is filled with plaster of Paris or other plastic material that will harden in place.

The upper model to which the lower model is attached is now pressed upon the plastic material in the mold, care being taken that the fiat side 25 of the base 24 of the upper model lies flat against the back plate 7 of the support to insure the parallelism of the outer surfaces 26 and 27 of the bases of the two models after the lower model is completed.

The plastic matter in the mold is worked around the edges of the lower model as before, and the plastic mass is left in the mold until it has hardened. Finally the lower model is removed from its mold and the two models are separated by removal of the soft plastic matter 23 by which the two models were temporarily connected.

The back plate 7 of the support has upon its face a graduated scale 28 to gauge the distances between the base-surfaces 26 and 2'? of the two models according to pre-established measurements. Thus it is possible to determine the relative positions of the models for patients of different ages, or according to measurements of the mouth of the patient, taken before the models are made, or in accordance with other varying conditions.

In making the lower model, the rear-part 13a of the mold is inserted in the recess 12 of the support so that the rear surface of the base of the lower model will be in the plane of the face of the back-plate of the support, and in consequence, in a plane with the rear surface 25 of the base of the upper model.

The models thus made, have each a symmetrically formed and attractive base, the sides of which are smooth and polished without the trimming and finishing required in the production 7 of models by other methods now in use.

The models are in strict conformity with the bite of the patient, and the models may be placed at any time in their correct relative posi tions by placing the rear surfaces of their bases against a flat surface at right angles to a surface upon which the lower model rests.

It will be understood that changes and modifications in the devices used in performing the process of the invention may be resorted to within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for molding dental models, a support comprising a base-plate having an upstanding flange and offset-lips at opposite ends thereof, and a back plate having channels to admit said lips, whereby the plates are fastened at right angles to each other.

2. A matrix for the production of dental models, comprising a body part having one side open and having resilient legs at opposite sides of the opening, and a closure for the opening providing a portion of the matrix, the closure and body part having engaging slots, the slots of the closure being so positioned as to hold the legs of the body part under tension when in said engaging position.

3. A matrix for the production of dental models, comprising a body part having one side open and having resilient legs at opposite sides of the opening, and a closure for the opening providing a portion of the matrix, the closure being con nected with said legs to hold same under tension.

4. A matrix for the production of dental models, comprising a body part having one side open and having resilient legs at opposite sides of the opening, and a closure for the opening providing a portion of the matrix, the closure being adapted to close said side only when the legs are under tension. 7

5. A matrix for the production of dental models, comprising a single body member bent to surround a model on three sides, and a member closing the fourth side, the members interlocking with each other to provide a confined space.

6. A matrix for the production of dental models,

comprising a body member having one side open and having resilient legs at opposite sides of the opening, and a closure spanning the opening and providing a portion of the matrix, the closure being connected directly with said legs.

'7. In apparatus for molding dental models, a

support comprising a base plate and a back plate at an angle thereto, the back plate having an undercut and having a portion overhanging the undercut, the undercut providing a recess, and a matrix on the support formed of material having a thickness substantially the depth of said recess, to fit therein.

8. In apparatus for molding dental models, a support comprising a base plate and a back plate at an angle thereto, the back plate having a por- I tion overhanging the base plate, said portion pro- 4 viding a recess in the support, and a mold resting on the base plate and having a closed side fitted in the recess with the inner surface of said closed side substantially in the same plane as said overhanging portion.

9. In apparatus for making dental models, the combination of a support having a base plate and a back plate at an angle thereto, the back plate having a recess and a dental form on the base plate fitted in the recess of the back plate.

ROY M. GORDER. 

